In July 2016, two boys used a sharp object to outline a 5,000-year-old historical carving on the island of Tro in Norway, thought to be among the earliest known depictions of skiing anywhere in the world. The boys apparently had good intentions, hoping to “fix” the carving by making it more visible. They also defaced a carving of a whale which formed part of the same hunting scene. In both cases, the damage was believed to be permanent.

The two boys issued a public apology but face possible prosecution under Norway’s Cultural Heritage Act.